We only sell three products, and that is on purpose. The Facial Cleanser, Hydralite Moisturiser and Solar Defence Fluid 50 are the products we recommend in the salon every single day, and together they are the foundation of every at-home routine we build after a facial.
What is a basic professional facial routine?
A basic professional facial routine has three steps: cleanse, moisturise and protect. At MAIÈ, an intimate salon in Weltevredenpark, Roodepoort (Johannesburg), the routine we recommend to every client after a facial is the Facial Cleanser (a soap-free gel cleanser with rooibos and kigelia), the Hydralite Moisturiser (an ultra-light, non-clogging moisturiser with Abyssinian oil) and the Solar Defence Fluid 50 (a broad-spectrum SPF 50 that protects against UVA, UVB, blue light and infrared). Use all three every morning, and the cleanser and moisturiser every evening.
We could have filled our shelves. There are thousands of serums, masks, toners and treatments out there, and most salons stock dozens of them. We decided to do the opposite.
Every day in the treatment room we see what happens when skin is given too much: routines with ten steps, actives layered on actives, products bought on a whim and abandoned a week later. Skin becomes sensitised, confused and harder to treat. More products rarely means better skin.
What healthy skin actually needs every day is simple. Clean it gently. Keep it hydrated. Protect it from the sun. Do those three things well and consistently, and your skin has everything it needs to stay calm, resilient and ready to respond to treatment.
So we chose the Facial Cleanser, the Hydralite Moisturiser and the Solar Defence Fluid 50, and nothing else. They are the only products we sell and promote in the salon, and the three we are most willing to put our name behind. When we recommend them, it is not a sales pitch. It is the same advice we would give our own family.
How we choose
Every product on our shelf has to earn its place
01
It suits almost everyone
Oily, dry, sensitised or somewhere in between, it has to work for the skin we see every day.
02
It is gentle enough for every day
Morning and evening, week after week, without irritation building up.
03
It does its job properly
No gimmicks and no promises it can't keep. Just the step it is meant to do, done well.
04
It supports your treatments
It has to help your skin recover after a facial, peel or microneedling, and protect the results.
05
It's a pleasure to use
The best product is the one you actually use. Texture, feel and finish matter.
06
We'd give it to our family
If we would not recommend it to the people closest to us, it does not go on the shelf.
Our promise: we will never sell you something you don't need. If your skin needs more than the three essentials, we will treat it in the salon and tell you honestly what would help.
Why we love each one
Step 1 · Cleanse
Facial Cleanser
Every good routine starts with a clean canvas, and this is the cleanser we trust to give you one. A soap-free, gel-based wash with Rooibos tea and Kigelia africana that lifts away oil, sunscreen, makeup and city grime, then rinses clean and leaves your skin comfortable, never tight.
✦Soap-free, so it cleans thoroughly without stripping your skin's natural oils or upsetting its barrier.
✦Gentle enough for twice-daily use on every skin type we see in the salon, from oily to sensitised.
✦Rooibos tea and Kigelia africana: calming, antioxidant-rich botanicals that suit South African skin and sunshine.
The moisturiser we recommend more than any other. Hydralite sinks in within seconds, leaves no greasy film and won't clog pores, yet your skin feels calm, soft and properly hydrated all day. Abyssinian oil and Rooibos tea extract do the work, and it sits beautifully under sunscreen and makeup.
✦Ultra-light and fast to absorb, so even oily and breakout-prone skin is happy to wear it.
✦Non-clogging: hydration without the congestion heavier creams can cause.
✦Abyssinian oil and Rooibos tea extract keep the skin calm, supple and comfortable.
If you only take one piece of advice from us, make it this: wear sunscreen every day. This is the one we recommend to every single client. Broad-spectrum SPF 50 that shields against UVA, UVB, blue light (HEV) and infrared (IR-A), with antioxidant vitamins C and E, in a weightless cream-gel that dries to an invisible, non-greasy finish.
✦Protection beyond UVA and UVB: it also defends against HEV (blue) light and IR-A infrared, both linked to premature ageing.
✦Antioxidant vitamins C and E, plus anti-pollution benefits, for a second line of defence.
✦A dry-touch, non-greasy cream-gel that disappears on the skin and wears well under makeup.
Your facial does its work in the treatment room. These three steps protect it every day in between, and they are the base we build every client’s routine on.
Wore makeup or sunscreen today? Cleanse twice. Your skin repairs overnight, so keep it simple.
Had a peel or microneedling? Follow the aftercare you’re given on the day, keep to these three and never skip your SPF 50.
not sure?
Let us show you how
Book a free 15-minute consultation. We look at your skin in person, show you how to use your three essentials and tell you if a treatment would get you to your goals faster.
A basic professional facial routine has three steps: cleanse, moisturise and protect. At MAIÈ, an intimate salon in Weltevredenpark, Roodepoort (Johannesburg), the routine we recommend to every client after a facial is the Facial Cleanser (a soap-free gel cleanser with rooibos and kigelia), the Hydralite Moisturiser (an ultra-light, non-clogging moisturiser with Abyssinian oil) and the Solar Defence Fluid 50 (a broad-spectrum SPF 50 that protects against UVA, UVB, blue light and infrared). Use all three every morning, and the cleanser and moisturiser every evening.
What skincare routine do aestheticians recommend after a facial?
Keep it simple and gentle: cleanse, moisturise and protect. After every facial at MAIÈ we recommend the Facial Cleanser, the Hydralite Moisturiser and the Solar Defence Fluid 50. Skip scrubs, strong acids and retinol for a few days, and never skip the SPF 50, because freshly treated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
What are the three essential steps of a skincare routine?
Cleanse to remove oil, sunscreen and grime without stripping the skin; moisturise to support the skin barrier; and protect with a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning. At MAIÈ those three steps are the Facial Cleanser, Hydralite Moisturiser and Solar Defence Fluid 50.
Why do you only sell three products?
Because these are the three we genuinely trust and recommend to every client. Healthy skin comes from a few good products used consistently, not a crowded shelf. Cleanse, moisturise and protect is the foundation of every routine we build, and these three do those jobs beautifully.
Are the three products enough on their own?
For most people, yes. Cleansing, moisturising and daily sun protection cover what healthy skin needs every day. If you have a specific concern, such as pigmentation, breakouts or signs of ageing, your facial or consultation is where we treat it, and we will tell you if anything extra would help.
Which order do I use them in?
Morning: Facial Cleanser, then Hydralite Moisturiser, then Solar Defence Fluid 50. Evening: Facial Cleanser, then Hydralite Moisturiser. Sunscreen is always the last step in the morning.
Do they suit sensitive or oily skin?
They were chosen because they suit almost everyone. The cleanser is soap-free, the moisturiser is ultra-light and non-clogging, and the sunscreen has a dry, non-greasy finish that won't sting your eyes. If your skin is very reactive, book a free consultation first and we will check.
Can I use them after a peel or microneedling?
Yes, they are exactly what we want you using between treatments. Follow the aftercare you are given on the day, keep your routine gentle and never skip the Solar Defence Fluid 50, because treated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
How do I get them?
Order online and collect free from the salon in Weltevredenpark, Roodepoort, or pick them up at your next appointment. Add all three to your bag in one tap on the shop page.
